Pain, Thrills, and Inspiration On Show at Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival 2015

Stories to prove that anything is possible are pivotal to the 12th Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival (EMFF) (6–8 February). From un-climbable rock routes and un-skiable lines and from surviving extreme temperatures to overcoming the hardships of life-changing injuries, the stories to be told at the EMFF will challenge what you may believe is humanly possible.

The 2015 EMFF programme is a weekend packed full of inspiration and entertainment with an impressive diversity of speakers and films delivering stories about dreams, challenges and over-coming adversity. Over the years, the EMFF has built a strong reputation as a fun, lively, enlightening and inspiring event, suitable for all of the family.

Each of the EMFF’s guest speakers has used their share of pain and suffering in a positive way. Karen Darke was just 21 when a climbing accident left her paralysed from the chest down but adventure remains a key part of her life and she is a now a successful cyclist in the British Paralympian team. American mountaineer and photographer Cory Richards was a high-school drop- out aged 14 but found his path through climbing. He survived a major avalanche while making the first winter ascent of the 8,035m Gasherbrum II, the ascent of which was a positive turning point in his life.

Other speakers include top climber Tom Randall, who built a ‘climbing dungeon’ in his basement so that he could train for Century Crack, the world’s toughest off-width crack climb, and Dave Cornthwaite, who quit his job to embark on adventures as varied as skateboarding across Australia and swimming the length of the Missouri River.

As well as the speakers, there are many remarkable films being screened. The epic internationally award winning Valley Uprising tells the story of climbing in Yosemite while The Limbless Mountaineer tells the story of Edinburgh mountaineer Jamie Andrew, who will be there to introduce the film that shows the realization of his dream of climbing the Matterhorn. Stone Free features legendary solo climber Julian Lines in the Highlands while snowsports fans have films shot in venues as diverse as Alaska, the NZ Alps, Baffin Island and the Cairngorms. A series of mountain bike films and adventurous journeys in wild places ensure that there truly is something for everyone.

Stevie Christie, Festival Director, said: "There are many great films to be excited about this year, from 5 minute shorts to feature length epics, and the variety will make for a great event.

“Whether you are a committed outdoor enthusiast or more of an armchair fan, or if you simply enjoy hearing enthralling stories set against incredibly beautiful scenery, there is something for you at the EMFF. This is the place to come at the start of the year to marvel at these stories and to get inspired to make this the year for your big adventures too. ”

From its humble beginnings in 2003, the EMFF has grown to be one of the most popular and dynamic events in Scotland’s outdoor adventure calendar, attracting in excess of 3,000 outdoor enthusiasts annually. It is being staged in association with Tiso, Mountain Equipment, Gore and Wilderness Scotland and takes place at the George Square Lecture Theatre in Edinburgh.